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1-on-1 With Lee Mein

Full disclosure: I have done play-by-play for Rumble in the Cage over the last few years and will do so again for the RITC 48.

  Rumble in the Cage 48 invades the Lethbridge Exhibition South Pavilion, Saturday, October 26th. As Canada’s longest running mixed martial arts promotion, RITC has survived while a great number of other promotions have come and gone. Promoter Lee Mein has put on nearly 50 events, starting out inside of a local bar, before branching out to bigger venues here in the city and across Western Canada.

  For his next show, not only is Mein promoting it and training his stable of fighters, he will also go up against Edmonton’s Bobby Kalmakoff in a heavyweight tilt for the main event. Leading up to the clash, I caught up with the Canadian Martial Arts Centre owner to get his thoughts on the current status of RITC and his return to battle.

  Q: It has been a year since the last Rumble in the Cage, why the lag between shows and why are you still in the game promoting?

Lee Mein: I’ve always wanted to promote. It’s always a matter of when I have time, when fighters are available and Jordan’s [Mein] career in the UFC and some other guys fighting top fights, if they’re getting opportunities [elsewhere], we’ll go out to those shows. I only did the Rumble for guys to get experience. There were so many [of our] shows going on, people weren’t coming out as much, [because the thinking around town is] “I’m going to catch the next one because you guys are doing [a show] every two months. So we cut back on the number of shows. We did a show in Saskatchewan, went really well. So, we’re going to expand where we do shows a bit. I’m going to revamp things here in the New Year and maybe try do more shows again but run them a bit different for my own peace of mind.

  Q: Leading up to another event does it feel like “old hat” for you or do you still get excited about putting on a show?”

Lee Mein: Some things are old hat and frustrating: Dealing with fighters and coaches when they don’t get their blood work in, for instance. Or guys getting hurt and cancelling, then scrambling to find a replacement for a guy. There’s the same drama that goes with putting on a fight card and getting sponsors. The regular sponsors are great and helping out but we’re always going out and trying to get new ones and expand because you want to pay guys more and do more—it takes more money. That part is the same. I’m still excited because once the show happens it’s going to be a good time. Everyone is going to have a great party. The fighters are going to love it, the fans are going to love it, so that’s the big reward.

  Q: What have you learned in your many years as Canada’s longest running mixed martial arts promotion?

Lee Mein: To me it’s been very simple because I know what I want when I go [to another] show as a fighter and what I expect as a fighter. [It’s] just basic stuff for what I try to do for the [fighters] and everyone loves coming to [Rumble in the Cage]. When I go to other shows that are starting out and I go to three or four shows and if they haven’t figured it out by then, they’re not going to get it. It’s stupid stuff—no water, no warm-up mats for the fighters, no itinerary, nobody knows where they’re going or where they’re staying –it’s stuff like that that frustrate me. It’s pretty simple—I don’t get how people screw it up. There are complications to it, you’re promoting, there’s a lot of money on the line, laying out 30 or 40 thousand dollars, if nobody shows up you’re losing that money. So there’s that stress [to deal with]. Overall, doing your basic marketing and your basic matchmaking and all of the stuff that’s involved, there are a tonne of little jobs but we just get them done.

  Q: What part do you enjoy the most in promoting a fight card like this?

Lee Mein: Seeing the crowd going crazy for a great fight. [Whether] my guys win or lose the fight, it was entertaining and the crowd loved it. And after if the fighter was wowed by how they did, even if they didn’t win the fight—that’s the exciting part. Helping guys reach their goals. If [their] goal is to get to UFC, if they get a fight on my show as an amateur, then build to a pro career and they start doing well as a pro and I’m bringing the guys in for them to fight and they win that fight that gets them one step closer. [If] they lose that fight, then we have to retool everything and [do the things] to rebuild it to get [the fighter] back where the UFC will notice you. [We] bring in the tough enough guys that they learn from those fights and are ready to be in the UFC when they get the call and not just fight a bunch of bums to get a good record, where it really doesn’t help them.

  Q: You return to the Cage this event, what keeps drawing you back to fight?

Lee Mein: Stupidity [laughs]. I was starting to feel real good, [through] my programme, my diet and working out. Opportunities [arose] with my top guys being unavailable and we still needed a main card fight, and I have a couple of my other guys who are doing really well, so I thought it we could make it really exciting if I fight and some of my other main guys fight it would be a really stacked card that people want to see. It’s exciting to get in there and fight when that’s what you’re trained to do. Stuff I have been working on the last year, I want to get in there and try it and see if it works. That’s my motivation to get back in there and fight.

  Q: What kind of fight do you expect against Bobby Kalmakoff?

Lee Mein: We were supposed to do a boxing match a couple of years ago but it didn’t work out. He’s a stand-up fighter. He likes to stand and bang, muay thai and the karate he does. He said, “He wanted to fight on the show” and I replied, “I don’t have any heavyweights right now.” He said, “I want to fight you.” Then I said, “I’m not planning fighting right now…but you’re right, let’s do it.” I’m going to throw hard and if I get a clinch I’m going to take him down and work my ground game, submit him or pound him out. And if I catch him standing, or if he catches me standing that’s the way it goes. It should be an entertaining fight one way or another, somebody’s getting knocked out.

  Visit www.rumbleinthecage.com for tickets and PPV info.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, for you Jordan ‘Young Gun’ Mein fans, here is an update. The UFC welterweight has not fought since losing to Matt Brown at UFC on Fox 7 this past April. In the fight Mein suffered a broken orbital bone; however, it is a lingering knee injury that is keeping him out of the octagon. According to his father Lee, Jordan is still on the mend and look for him to optimally return to action early in 2014.

[martybaceda-blog]

NHL Thoughts

In our last edition of For What It’s Worth we went on and end-to-end rush prognosticating what would happen for the Canadian National Hockey League clubs from coast-to coast this 2013-14 season. This time around here is some quick-hitting thoughts on the rest of the loop (a.k.a. FWIW’s USA Dreamin’).

  --Alexander Ovechkin will win the Hart Trophy once again. The 28-year-old claimed the NHL’s Most Valuable Player award a year ago and all signs point to a repeat. Remember, Ovie started last season very slowly adjusting to a new regime with Adam Oates behind the bench. After ending last year on a torrid note, a full training camp and acceptance in playing right wing, the 60-goal mark is certainly attainable this year.

  --What’s not to like with Boston? The Bruins came up just short in the quest for the Cup and have loaded up for another run next spring. Jarome Iginla may not be a Hart Trophy candidate any longer, yet I wager he’s got at least one more 30-goal campaign in him, especially united with Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Loui Eriksson’s an underrated addition, who is still only 28-years-old and is just a couple of seasons removed from his last 30-goal season. The B’s feature a deep line-up, Zdeno Chara, solid goaltending, grit and skill. The East better watch out.

  --Wait, Detroit is in the Eastern Conference? It will be weird to see lots of Red Wings-Lightning finals on the ticker this winter.

  --St. Louis could be Boston west. The Blues have built a pretty diverse roster in the Gateway City. Big, tough forwards on the squad include Captain David Backes, Brendan Morrow, Chris Stewart and Patrick Berglund. There are pure skill guys like Derek Roy, Vladimir Tarasenko and Magnus Paajarvi. And St. Louis has some versatile sorts including Alex Steen and TJ Oshie. It’s the blue-line that may be the best part of the club. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk are and excellent 1A – 1B duo. Jay Bouwmeester doesn’t have to be the man—and that’s a good thing. The D has great depth from Roman Polak, Barrett Jackman, Jordan Leopold and Ian Cole. If Jaroslav Halak and/or Brian Elliot bring it in net, the Blues may finally make the finals for the first time since 1970.

  --Teams I am down on with a brief explanation:

Nashville—strong  up the middle, Weber, Rinne, what else?

Columbus—no way Bobrovsky repeats, even a small slide from him and this team goes from 9th to 13th.

Dallas—what is going on there? Really…if someone can explain the plan, then I’m all ears.

  --Teams that may I am a homer about surprise with a brief explanation.

Florida—a playoff team from two years ago, Lethbridge’s Kris Versteeg, and others are healthy once again. Just maybe Tim Thomas finds the fountain of youth. What hurts is a move to the Atlantic division where there are more games against better teams like Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto than there was in the Southeast.

Phoenix—Dave Tippett is among the best coaches in the NHL and brings the most out of his players. There’s nothing flashy about the roster, but leaders Keith Yandle and Martin Hanzal are in the midst of the primes. Perhaps the addition of Mike Ribeiro adds enough flair to boost the offence that would love to finish even in the middle of the pack. Of course, another city lad—Rob Klinkhammer—signed a one-way deal as well. So maybe there’s more to this section than meets the eye.

  --Teams I am going to watch a lot on Centre Ice

Philadelphia—sure, goaltending is still a mess, but the rest of the group is deep. I’m not saying the Flyers will win a cup but this club entertains on a nightly basis.

Pittsburgh—some Sidney Crosby guy. Oh and that Evgeni Malkin is good too. I hope they stay healthy. Tremendous games against the team just mentioned.

Chicago—the defending Stanley Cup champs bring back pretty much everyone for another shot. While Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp provide the spark up front, I enjoy watching Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith snap passes tape-to-tape from anywhere on the ice.

Tampa Bay—Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis are worth the price of admission. Victor Hedman is emerging and may soon be a Norris Trophy candidate. Shaky goaltending means a lot of 6-5 finals.

Anaheim—Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and company usually play exciting, rough-and-tumble games. It’s also Teemu Selanne’s swan song. Add an ex-Hurricane in Luca Sbisa who is getting better every season and I’m in.

  --Teams that I respect but I am decidedly ‘meh’ about:

Los Angeles—the Kings will again be a factor in the Western Conference and a good bet to make the Finals. However, now that I no longer have to cheer for Darryl Sutter hockey—it’s effective but not all that fun to watch. Still, the Kings will win 45.

San Jose—the Sharks keep bringing the band back together but as I have written about before, until the Joe Thornton/Patrick Marleau duo is split up, this team isn’t going to lift the cup.

New Jersey—Kings of the east.

NY Rangers—some nice pieces here but where is it going? Perhaps Alain Vigneault is just the tonic the Blueshirts need to get their mojo back.

  --Teams I’m ‘meh’ about and don’t really resepct:

Buffalo—I’m hoping the crop of youngsters bring it. I may change my mind about this squad midway through the winter.

Carolina—I don’t care how many Staals are there.

NY Islanders—great, the team made the playoffs last year…now what? A fade back into oblivion most likely.

Colorado—like Buffalo, there may be enough young emerging stars here that I will change my tune.

Minnesota—make all the moves you like Wild, I’m still going to watch elsewhere.

[martybaceda-blog]

NHL Power Poll

“It’s getting, it’s getting, it’s gettin’ kind of heavy.”

The Power – Snap

  About the time The Power was still hot in clubs across the planet, a Canadian team last won the Stanley Cup. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings to win the 1993 National Hockey League championship. Since then, American clubs have dominated the post season taking the last 19 titles.

  So, as we embark on the new 2013-2014 NHL campaign, FWIW offers this power poll of clubs from the Great White North. Look for the Canadian Cup drought to continue.

  7. Calgary Flames

  It started late last season and continued through the summer as the Flames metamorphosis from would-be “contender” to outright rebuilder continues in earnest. Since the club’s unlikely Finals appearance in 2004, it thought of itself as a championship threat. Nearly a decade later, the Flames overestimated their roster, often selling young assets or draft picks for veterans for what turned out to be zero playoff series wins.

  It’s a new era for the organization as Jarome Iginla was dealt before the trade deadline last year. This summer Alex Tanguay was moved to Colorado and Miikka Kiprusoff retired. While Mike Cammalleri, Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross are still around, this is a team devoid of superstars.

  The biggest question mark, in a long list of ?’s is between the pipes. Joey MacDonald has been a career backup. Karri Ramo, a favourite of GM Jay Feaster’s from Tampa Bay, is back in the NHL after shining in the KHL. Throw in Reto Berra, who starred for Switzerland in the World Championships last spring into the mix and who knows who will get the most starts. Good goaltending can emerge from unlikely sources—Craig Anderson, Sergei Bobrovsky, Mike Smith among others have proven this. Calgary needs one of these three to become Kiprusoff-lite.

  Still, the Flames are so thin down the middle that 6th overall pick Sean Monahan made the team as an 18-year-old. Matt Stajan is currently slated to be the number-one pivot. It makes Flames fans long for the days of Guy Chouinard.

  To distract Flames fans Brian Burke was named team President of Hockey Operations. At least the long-time exec is entertaining when dealing with the media. Can he help rebuild the team? Does his appointment mean Feaster’s days are numbered? Stay tuned.

  Verdict: If Calgary does anything other than vie for the 1st overall pick in 2014 it will be a massive upset. And upsetting for Flames fans who are yearning for that very pick.

  6. Winnipeg Jets

  The Jets fly back to the Western Conference as the NHL realigned its conferences. Since rejoining the league, the team has finished 11th and 9th in the East the past two years, finishing just above .500 each campaign. The record is nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s hard to see where the ‘Peg will improve this season.

  If the Jets indeed get better, new addition Devin Setoguchi may very well be the driving force. A former 30-goal scorer, the Taber native never really found a home with Minnesota after he headed to the Wild from San Jose. The winger should get plenty of opportunities with the punchless Jets.

  Sure, there are some fine players on the squad including Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Dustin Byfuglien, when on his game (i.e. in shape) can be a force on the back end. Netminder Andrej Pavelec makes plenty of highlight reel saves, but still had middling numbers.

  A way to describe Winnipeg: Meh.

  Verdict: 12th place in the Western Conference. But only 3 points out of 10th.

  5. Edmonton Oilers

  Last season, the Oilers were supposed to rejoin the postseason party, only to fade down the stretch of the truncated season and finish 12th in the Western Conference, 10 points out of a playoff spot. No question, Edmonton has the young talent to take the next step, yet defensively the club still may have too many question marks to overcome.

  Up front Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and the rejuvenated Sam Gagne all put up the offensive numbers expected of them. Nail Yakupov did not look out of place as a freshman last year either, leading the team in goals.

  Worrisomely, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins did not improve on his rookie numbers. Still, the club showed faith in the ex-Red Deer Rebel with a 7-year, $42 million contract extension this September. Nugent-Hopkins has amazing vision and is willing to play defence as well. When it’s all said and done, RNH may become the best of all of the first overall picks by the organization.

  On the blueline, newcomer Justin Schultz put up lots of offence, but was lacking in his own end, a team worst -17 in ’12-’13. From there minutes were doled out to veterans like Nick Schultz, Ryan Whitney and Ladislav Smid and youngsters Jeff Petry and Corey Potter. Whitney is gone while Andrew Ference was brought in as a free agent to help out. Where is the upside with this group? It lies with Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom and those players are a few years out from being lynchpins.

  In net Devan Dubnyk is back while Nikolai Khabibulin isn’t. Dubnyk is still an up-and-down ‘tender and at 27, he may have reached his peak. Jason Labarbera is around to back-up. An upgrade in net wouldn’t hurt the Copper-and-Blue one bit.

  Verdict: Sniffing around 8th in the west. Perhaps a big deadline deal for a stud defenceman pushes the Oil back into the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

  4. Toronto Maple Leafs

  Speaking of making it back to the postseason, the Maple Leafs returned to the chase for the Cup last spring after 7 years without. Phil Kessel was among the league’s scoring leaders and Nazem Kadri had a nice breakout campaign. The acquisition of James Van Riemsdyk added another elite finisher while Joffrey Lupul added 11 goals, in just 16 games. So, the offence appears to be in fine form again, as Cody Franson and even Dion Phaneuf chipped in from the blueline. Addition David Clarkson is intriguing, as he piled up goals and penalty minutes in New Jersey the last couple seasons. Also arriving in Hog Town is two-time Stanley Cup winner David Bolland.

  Much like many teams in this poll, will the Leafs get the goaltending they need to get to the next level? Incumbent James Reimer was great during the regular season, only to meltdown in the playoffs. Now Jonathan Bernier, acquired from Los Angeles this past June, is in to make it a competition. The long-time prospect was great backing up Jonathan Quick, but can he hold up under the Toronto spotlight?

  Verdict: Playoffs for the second straight season. If the club improves its defensive play a conference finals run may be in the cards. But this is the Leafs…make that another first-round knockout.

  3. Vancouver Canucks

  A Stanley Cup Finals participant just two years ago, the Canucks are fraying at the edges. A coaching change brings in John Tortorella, leaving Alain Vigneault to swap spots as he will lead the New York Rangers. Tortorella is a good coach; however, his abrasive style makes for a short shelf life.

  Everyone is anxious to see what the Sedins will do under the new bench boss. Henrik and Daniel are still all-star players but were not Hart Trophy contenders as in years past. From there, the club’s depth has taken a hit up front and it is too early to tell who will be counted on as second and third liners. A full season from Ryan Kesler will help and Alex Burrows will continue to annoy opponents and chip in goals.

From there it’s the likes of David Booth, Chris Higgins, Jannik Hansen et al—a far cry from the 2011 squad.

  The defence still has Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Jason Garrison and Kevin Bieksa. Is this necessarily good? At least Cam Barker and Keith Ballard are no longer around to kick around.

  Oh, then there’s the Roberto Luongo situation. One year after the team wanted to deal him, Luongo survives on the coast as Corey Schneider was the one in fact dealt—at the draft to New Jersey. Bobby Lu may not be as good as he once was, or was once considered to be, but he’s still above average. Perhaps he has one more good run left.

  Verdict: The Sedins are still good enough to lead the team comfortably into the playoffs. Still, this team is a far cry from the rest of the Western Conference contenders. And would it shock anyone to see Tortorella as a one-and-done coach?

  2. Montreal Canadiens

  The Canadiens were a team that surprised many as it won the Northeast Division over eventual Stanley Cup finalist Boston. Alas, the Habs were upset by Ottawa in the conference quarterfinals this past spring. While the outcome was disappointing, team management is giving the group another run this campaign as the roster is nearly returns intact.

  The major addition is Daniel Briere, who when healthy (a big if), is still a dynamic offensive player. Max Pacioretty stayed healthy himself and paced the Canadiens in scoring last year. Tomas Plekanec can always be counted on as a solid two-way player and Brian Gionta can still put the puck in the net. Brendan Gallagher had a great rookie season and looks to build off his near 30-goal pace (over 82 games).

  The best part of the club is the back end where P.K. Subban is the league’s reigning Norris Trophy winner. Joining the talented Subban is Andrei Markov, who returned from injury and picked up where he left off after missing too much time from 2010-2012. Alexi Emelin and Josh Gorges are rugged rearguards as is newcomer Douglas Murray. Meanwhile the club still has Francis Bouillon, Davis Drewiske and Raphael Diaz. That is going 8-deep on the blueline.

  As always Carey Price is under a microscope between the pipes. His regular season numbers are usually solid; it’s whether he can come up big in the playoffs that count.

  Verdict: The Habs will easily make the playoffs and challenge for first in the newly formed Atlantic division. If the Price is right, so is a long playoff run.

  1. Ottawa Senators

  The most shocking development of the summer was Daniel Alfredsson leaving the Capital for Detroit. While many players are loved by their fans, Alfie and Ottawa had something extra special. Now with the marriage over, the Sens will move on without their iconic Swede.

  Thankfully, the roster is stocked with burgeoning talent. Yes, there isn’t a Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin on the team, but the depth at forward and on defence is promising. Only 4 players on the probable opening night line-up are on the wrong side of 30.

  Jason Spezza needs a full year healthy and newcomer Bobby Ryan can be a 40-goal scorer to lead the offence. However, nearly everyone on the roster will chip in whether it’s Colin Greening, Milan Michalek or Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

  On defence, Erik Karlsson is the best offensive threat from the back end in the NHL. A real game changer, the former Norris Trophy winner is still just 23-years-old. Ex-Cane Chris Phillips provides leadership and actually had an offensive surge in ’12-’13. They are joined by Jared Cowen, Patrick Wiercioch, Joe Corvo and Marc Methot. It’s a top-notch six-pack.

  Craig Anderson was among the best goalies last season and there’s no reason to believe he can’t keep it up. Robin Lehner is a more than capable backup. Make it another position of strength for the Sens.

  Verdict: Vying for top spot in the Atlantic Division and if the stars align, a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. But ultimately, like the rest of the Canadian clubs this season, without a championship.

[martybaceda-blog]

A Time For Hope

Isn’t it time to like the Lethbridge Hurricanes again?

Shortly the organization embarks on the new 2013-2014 Western Hockey League campaign after an offseason of change. With Rich Preston dismissed after four seasons missing the playoffs, a new regime is in place. Brad Robson has taken over as general manager, promoted from his assistant GM duties. Drake Berehowsky is the new head coach. He has added a couple of other ex-NHLers as assistants: Brad Lukowich and Mike Craig. Tutoring the goaltenders is a familiar face—Jeff Battah—who held that role back in the Michael Dyck days.

A fresh approach is exactly what this club needs. We shall see if this new group can reenergize the city and get it behind it. I think it’s no secret that the ‘Canes have often struggled in the arena of public perception. More often than not, when I have discussed the team with people in town in the last ten-plus years, the conversation has frequently started with, “Why are the Hurricanes so bad?”

Even when the club was coming off its WHL Finals in 2008, the afterglow quickly faded. Of course, the following year the club underachieved and was bounced in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Shortly afterwards was the messy Dyck/Roy Stasiuk dismissals and the subsequent hiring of Preston. Despite his efforts, the former long-time NHL assistant coach could never grow the ‘Canes into a consistent squad.

Now it’s time for the Robson/Berehowsky era. The former has been with the club for quite a while, with his main objective running the bantam draft. Thanks to the team finishing the out of the playoffs four years in a row, there have been lots of high picks added to the club. In one area, Preston should get some credit: He added lots of extra draft choices during his tenure which stocked up the protected list.

Recent first rounders who, if not are already mainstays, will be soon are Ryan Pilon, Reid Duke, Giorgio Estephan and Thomas Lenchyshyn. Of course, the first three were all picked between 3rd and 5th overall. Blowing these picks is not an option for a rebuilding team like the Hurricanes. And it looks like they haven’t.

But there has been depth found throughout the draft in the last few years. In 2009, Sam McKechnie and Adam Henry were taken in the third round, Jaimen Yakubowski in the fourth and Russ Maxwell in the sixth. One year later, Craig Leverton, Macoy Erkamps and Joel Topping were second rounders. Jamal Watson was stolen in the fifth round. From the 2011 draft, Tyler Wong and Johnny Hogue could both prove to be steals, taken in the 5th and 8th rounds respectively. Kolten Olynek and Carter Amson will vie for spots this campaign as each were second rounders along with Bryton Sayers a third rounder.

So, there is no shortage of young promise on the squad. It is up to Berehowsky and his staff to groom it and get it steeled to compete on a nightly basis. The WHL brings plenty of challenges and playing in the team plays in the loop’s toughest division. Calgary and Medicine Hat are perennial contenders. Both Edmonton and Kootenay have recently won the title out of the Central. Red Deer has Brent Sutter back. Look at it this way and the Hurricanes will have a difficult road to the top. However, if the club gets there, it will be an impressive accomplishment.

Berehowsky has been honing his coaching chops, first as an assistant in the Ontario Hockey League and the American Hockey League, then last year as the head man for the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. What we have learned about his style through training camp and the early days after its conclusion is Berehowsky and his staff are not fooling around. A 6am practice with no pucks sends a message. Every coach preaches accountability but only the good ones actually get players to buy in.

One area may see that the team is getting better is if the team’s on-ice discipline improves. In the four years under Preston the ‘Canes were shorthanded in order: fourth most, third most, second most and third most. Additionally, the penalty kill that rated no better than 18th (18th three seasons and 19th in the other) as the sin bin killed the team. If the side can stay out of the penalty box and shore up its penalty killing at all, that’s a huge step back on the road back to respectability. The ‘Canes powerplay was just 20th last season as well, so bettering special teams has to be a huge priority for the new staff.

As always, the Hurricanes could use a strong start to bolster their playoff chances. Traditionally the team plays a home-heavy first half and this year is no different. 20 of the club’s first 36 games are at home. After the Christmas Break, the ‘Canes play 19 of 34 away from the Enmax Centre and have two five-game trips and one four-gamer.

The community has seen its share of new coaches over the last decade: Miikko Makela, Lindsay Hofford, Dyck, Preston and now Berehowsky. Only Dyck had any real success and even then his time was cut short. Since the ‘Canes last won the league championship in ’97, the public’s faith in the franchise has eroded. The Finals run in ’08 was a blip on the radar and the greater consensus is the club is far from elite.

The Hurricanes record on the ice and off it has pretty poor in recent times. Over the last few years the team has lost too many games and too much money. Can Robson and Berehowsky right the ship and get Southern Alberta excited about the team once again?

It’s hard enough to win in the Western Hockey League these days. Asking the new regime to also win over the public is an added burden. With plenty of room for others on the ‘Cane Train’ are the new men in charge the right conductors to get the team headed north? Or is another derailment imminent? 

[martybaceda-blog]

NFL Primer

When we last truly cared about what was happening in the National Football League, the Baltimore Ravens fended off the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl XLVII (I believe those Roman numerals add up to 47). We now live in a world where Joe Flacco has as many titles to his credit as Peyton Manning.

While the Ravens have been quite good for some time now, it’s not like the club was a championship favourite when the 2012 season began. And even as defending titlists, Baltimore is not close to the odds-on favourite to do it again. The NFL is definitely unpredictable from year to year—the only absolute is we will be surprised somehow.

With that in mind, here are some things I am looking forward to for the upcoming season.

The Race in the NFC West

As we know, the 49ers almost became one of the Super Bowls greatest stories this past February against the Ravens. The West-Coasters trailed by 22 points in the third quarter, made a huge rally, ultimately falling 34-31. The good news for San Francisco is most all its important players have returned. QB Colin Kaepernick was a revelation taking over the reins from Alex Smith last season. A dual-threat, the Nevada alum is among the exciting crop of young pivots piloting teams. While the offence is more dynamic with Kaepernick, they are led by a top-notch defence.  Inspired by linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, the unit were third best in the league in points allowed last year and should be as strong this season. Additions like Anquan Boldin, who played a huge part in the Ravens Super Bowl triumph and Nnamdi Asomugha may be the final pieces to put San Fran back on top.

However, San Fran isn’t even the odds-makers faves within the division— it is Seattle. The Seahawks defence was the stingiest in points allowed last season, displaying a shutdown secondary led by Richard Sherman and ex-Calgary Stampeder Brandon Browner on the corners and Earl Thomas at safety. It’s a big group that can really shutdown the opposition’s wide receivers. It’s an attacking D, adept at forcing turnovers and getting to the quarterback. A balanced offence was led by rookie QB Russell Wilson. A third round pick in the 2012 draft, thought to be too small by many teams to play pivot in the NFL, Wilson silenced all critics putting in a tremendous performance. A first-rate ball-protector, Wilson, aided by Marshawn Lynch’s punishing running style, gave Seattle a balanced offence. The addition of Percy Harvin from Minnesota, gives the club another game-changer at wide receiver, but the speedster will need to stay healthy for an impact.

While Seattle and San Francisco will battle for first in the division and probably the conference, better days seem to be ahead in St. Louis and possibly Arizona. The Rams have a lot of young players, who may combine to breakout. QB Sam Bradford has been sacked far too often in his young career. If the Rams can protect him, adding some intriguing skill players, a march into the post-season is a possibility. The defence is emerging from also-rans to middle-of-the-pack last season. St. Louis was an impressive 2-1-1 against Seattle and San Fran a year ago.

As for the Cardinals, Bruce Arians, the reigning Coach of the Year, begins his tenure in the desert after filling in as the boss in Indianapolis last season. Also in is Carson Palmer. The veteran QB should be miles better than anything the Cards used under centre last season, however, at 33 years-of-age; he hasn’t been in peak form in years. Larry Fitzgerald is still around to catch passes; when Arizona actually properly protects the quarterback. Offensive line play must improve dramatically in order for this team to get back to something close to a .500 record. The defence was actually pretty good last winter, as it created many turnovers and havoc via the pass rush. It makes for an interesting division dynamic and is a far cry from just a few seasons back when an 8-8 record was good enough to win the NFC West.

Teams Trying to Make the Leap

Two of the best records in the NFL belonged to Atlanta and Houston last season. And while both clubs won in the playoffs, they came up short when tickets were booked to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The Falcons lost to the Niners in the NFC Championship game, while the Texans bowed out one round earlier.

In Atlanta, it is Super Bowl or bust. A diverse offence is led by QB Matt Ryan and dynamic receiving threats Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. Ryan could join Dan Marino, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Matt Stafford in the 5000-yard club. Former Ram Stephen Jackson joins the backfield. The defence created some turnovers, if not a lot of quarterback pressure. Leading sacker John Abraham has moved on to the Cardinals. Line play on both sides of the ball is key. In order to make it all-the-way, the Falcons need to block better and rush the passer—of course, pretty much every team needs that—as Atlanta has the skill position players to compete with anyone.

The Texans boast a balanced team, with superstar JJ Watt leading the defence. A disruptive force, the then 2nd-year pro was amazing last season, clocking in with 20.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed and 4 forced fumbles. Watt was named defensive player of the year. Offensively, Matt Schaub is labelled as a good, but not great, quarterback. However, as Flacco proved, that perception can change quickly. With Arian Foster ailing, the Texans ground attack is still in pretty good hands with back up running back Ben Tate. The offensive line is solid and there are fine players everywhere. It will come down to executing under pressure, especially for Schaub, in the post-season for the Texans to make the ultimate breakthrough.

Can the Young QB’s Bring It Once Again?

In 2012, quarterbacks making their first extended runs at the helm of the offence were everywhere. The huge success of Kaepernick, Wilson and Washington’s Robert Griffin III was astounding. The latter threw just 5 interceptions in 15 games while compiling the 4th best QB passer rating at 102.4. A knee injury ended his season and the Baylor Bear has yet to take contact during training camp. Still, Griffin appears to be on the road to recovery and there is nothing to suggest he won’t get even better going forward.

Other young QB’s looking to join the club include Minnesota’s Christian Ponder, Jacksonville’s Blaine Gabbert and Cleveland’s Brandon Weeden. Personally, I’ll be interested in how Cam Newton performs. The Carolina Panther was a revelation as a rookie, but didn’t progress much as a sophomore. With a great skill set, Newton can become an elite QB.

And Briefly…

Will my beloved Kansas City Chiefs become respectable this year? 2 wins in 2012, as terrible quarterbacking doomed them. Now with a new coach in Andy Reid and QB in Alex Smith, the Chiefs do have some talent on the roster and may make a run at .500.

Who will be the worst of the worst? Jacksonville and Oakland appear to be the earlier front-runners.

While Watt will once again earn Defensive Player of the Year honours, I say Aaron Rodgers takes the Most Valuable Player award. The Green Bay QB is in his prime and running an offence with plenty of playmakers. A shaky offensive line will make his performance look even better as he guns for 5000 yards and 40 TDs.

Super Bowl Prediction: 49ers get another shot…against the Texans. So, with the Baceda Kiss of Death wager accordingly.

[martybaceda-blog]

One Year Later

It’s truly amazing how time flies. Right around this time a year ago, I stepped down as Sports Director at Global Lethbridge. After 10 years in the business, I had a very difficult decision to make. In order to fully devote my energy into the business I became involved with a few years earlier – Amplo*—I made the decision to move on from broadcasting full-time. It was pretty agonizing at the time to choose what I wanted to do going forward and it’s hard to believe I haven’t been on the air for 12 months.

Now as we fly through the summer of 2013, I still quite often get the question: “Do you miss it?”

And like most everything in life there is no definitive yes or no answer. Of course, I miss quite a few things about working at the station. There are also some things I don’t miss at all. There are some things I haven’t even thought about until writing this column.

Covering sports in Southern Alberta for the better part of a decade allowed me to be a big part of the local sports community. Over those years, a lot of great relationships were forged. Quite simply, I don’t get to see some of those people as much if at all anymore. This includes coaches, players and administrators that I had a lot of direct contact with. Some of the best conversations I’ve ever had have been while waiting at a practice somewhere, passing time with these folks.

There are also a lot of great people I worked with at Global that I don’t get to see on a daily basis anymore. In TV news, there is always a deadline on the horizon. What happens in newsrooms getting ready for a cast is often chaotic. The bonds you form with people in a pressure environment become rather strong and you better have a good sense of humour to survive. While some discussions were rather informed, there were just as many inane or downright absurd. But broadcast folks all love to talk, no matter the topic. Being part of a busy newsroom never made for a boring day.

Another great part of being Sports Director at Global was how connected I was. I had a lot of information coming at me on a daily basis. I broke stories and I also kept a lot of information to myself that didn’t have a place in the public forum. I usually knew what was happening, when it was happening and what it meant.

Now, I’m not nearly as “plugged-in” concerning the Southern Alberta sports scene. I went an entire year without seeing the Lethbridge Hurricanes practice. I could probably only name a handful of the young men who played for the Lethbridge Bulls this summer. As my focus has shifted to other business, I am not the local sports authority I used to be. Now like the rest of the general public, I have to refer to those dedicated souls still at it—Paul Kingsmith, Dylan Purcell and Pat Siedlecki—to name a few.

I miss those occasions when we had a “perfect” sportscast at Global. It often happened on a Friday night with several games going on at different locations. If you are a viewer, think of an evening in March when we have the Hurricanes in town, along with the high school zone basketball tournaments. It’s a day that is a total local sportsapalooza. After having raced around and getting all of the pertinent video, the highlights are all edited, the scores are inputted and everything hits the air—when that all comes together—it’s a tremendously satisfying feeling. I equate it to what a team feels after a big win. The game plan was executed properly and the result is sweet victory. It’s a tremendous rush.

There were also lots of great stories and teams that I got to cover over the years. The Lethbridge Hurricanes run to the 2008 WHL Finals, the dominance of the University of Lethbridge Women’s Rugby Team, the Lethbridge College Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams who made Nationals and countless others. It was always very gratifying to see those teams develop over the course of the season. At a certain point one got the feeling that something special was going on and then to see the squad live up to, or even exceed expectations was a great thrill.

I miss the make-up. There’s something wonderful about piling on foundation and powder twice a day.

Okay. I don’t miss the make-up at all.

Fortunately, I am still doing some things in the media, including this column for the Lethbridge Journal. I’ve done other freelance work, whether it’s for Feature Productions or Southern Alberta.com. I also got to do some play-by-play for the U of L basketball and hockey teams this past year. I hope I still get opportunities to keep doing the same in the future as I want to keep my broadcasting chops somewhat honed.

As I tell people, my experience at Global was almost entirely positive. And I wouldn’t be in a position business-wise today without the contacts I made during my time at the station.

That being said, I believe I have made the right decision. I am enjoying the new challenge that Amplo* has provided. I think we are doing some great work here for our clients—many of the same I used to cover when I was with Global.

I may not have the same profile I had when I was on TV on a nightly basis. However, I am still a big part of our community. One I am very proud to belong to.

*From the Shameless Plug Department: Find out more info at amplo.ca!

[martybaceda-blog]

Pirate Power

On the sad-sackedness scale it’s hard to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sure, there are those “lovable losers” the Chicago Cubs (Championship drought: 104 years...soon to be 105).  Eight Major League Baseball teams have never won the World Series—Texas, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego (*sigh*), Montreal Washington (*double sigh*), Seattle, Colorado and Tampa Bay.

There is what is happening with the Toronto Blue Jays this season. On a rather putrid near two-decade run, the Jays were supposed to be something in 2013. Some major off-season deals and free agent signing were going to propel the organization back into the American League East mix. Alas, here we are with just a couple of months left in the season and Toronto is last in its division, miles out of a Wild Card Playoff Berth and once again contemplating life as an also-ran.

However, over the last two decades, the Pirates have been the epitome of hapless. Make it zero playoff appearances in the last 20 years. In fact, the Bucs haven’t even cracked .500 since 1992 when the club lost to Atlanta in a 7th game in the National League Championship Series*.

 *A game we all remember when the Braves rallied in the 9th on Francisco Cabrera’s two-out, bottom of the 9th, two-run single that somehow managed to score the glacial Sid Bream from second base. Of course the man who tried to throw out Bream at the plate was Barry Bonds. I think we can all agree a BALCOized Bonds would have had him by a mile. Timing is everything isn’t it?

From 1992 through 2012 the Pirates have finished 462 combine games out of first in the National League Central, on average: 23.1 games per season. Throw in two 100-loss campaigns and 8 more in the 90+ range, making the club the losingest of losers*.

*The only team that challenges Pittsburgh over this span is Kansas City. The Royals have been terrible since 1992 as well. Zero trips to the post-season, four 100-loss campaigns and the Tony Muser era. At least KC has had a couple of years where it finished over .500 and has produced some true All-Star calibre players like Carlos Beltran and Johnny Damon. It’s only after these guys left the Royals where they found success. But it started in Kansas City!

However, here in 2013, the Pirates are on the verge of showing an entire generation of fans what it’s like to play meaningful baseball in September (and perhaps even October). As of late July, the Bucs were flirting with first place in the NL Central, around 20-games over .500. Thanks to the expanded playoffs, Pittsburgh is in pretty good shape to at least snag one of the two Wild Card spots. Even if the post-season eludes the squad, it is almost assured to have more wins than losses at the end of the schedule for the first time since ‘92.

Pittsburgh is getting the job done thanks to some unbelievable pitching. The staff is a blend of reclamation projects and young studs. Guys like AJ Burnett and Francisco Liriano are household names. Both have found new life in the Steel City with earned run averages under 3. Liriano hasn’t looked this good in years, when he was dominating in Minnesota. Burnett has never been this reliable, even when he racked up 18 wins with the Jays in 2008.

As good as these two have been, the biggest surprise in the Bucs’ rotation is Jeff Locke. Acquired from Atlanta in the Nate McLouth deal of ’09, the former second round pick had just 10 mostly disastrous starts, over the preceding two years, for Pittsburgh heading into 2013. This season he has sorted everything out and is contending for the NL ERA title. While Locke doesn’t strike many batters out compared to the likes of Clayton Kershaw or Matt Harvey, the lefty isn’t giving up any hits. At the All-Star break, Locke had surrendered just 76 hits in 109 innings pitched. That’s Bugs Bunny-like elusiveness.

Rounding out the rotation is another solid veteran, Wandy Rodriguez (currently on the disabled list) and a couple of youngsters, former 1st-round pick Gerrit Cole and Jeanmar Gomez (acquired by trade from Cleveland). Pittsburgh starters are clearly exceeding expectations.

However, the Pirates bullpen has been even better. The only quibble with the starting staff is it doesn’t go deep into games. That has put pressure on the team’s ‘pen—and it has come through thus far while leading the NL in innings pitched.

Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli both made the All-Star Game and could have been joined by Justin Wilson. Tony Watson, Vin Mazzaro, Bryan Morris, along with those mentioned are all on pace to make at least 50-60 appearances each. To a man, they have all been effective. The share-the-ball use by manager Clint Hurdle has worked up to this point. However, Grilli did hit the DL recently and we shall see that even by avoiding pitching most of these arms on back-to-back games, if the Pirates ‘pen will continue to thrive down the stretch.

As for the line-up, the Pirates have one superstar in Andrew McCutchen. A real MVP candidate, the outfielder must stay healthy for his team to have a shot at the post-season. Pedro Alvarez leads the club in home runs and runs batted in but he strikes out every third at bat. The same can be said for another promising youngster—Starling Marte—a potential 5-tool player. Canadian Russell Martin is giving the club some steady play at catcher. Some other bats have boom/bust potential like Garrett Jones and another ex-Jay, Travis Snider. It all adds up to an offence in the bottom third in the majors. But with pitching this good, the bats have done enough to win.

While Canada has to suffer through this unspiriational* (*TM FWIW) Jays season, unbeknownst to many, the Pirates are a contender. With a strong pitching staff and just enough hitting and defence, the Bucs are on course to snap a couple of long droughts.

And if the Bucs do indeed make the playoffs, it leaves Kansas City and yes, Toronto, as the next two teams with the longest the post-season droughts. That’s the kind of company the Jays are keeping these days. 

[martybaceda-blog]

Kovalchuk The Kapitalist

In what is always a wild time of year for the National Hockey League, nothing was more shocking than the retirement of New Jersey Devils’ forward Ilya Kovalchuk. The sniper left the NHL despite still having 12-years and 77 million dollars left on his contract. Later it was revealed the 30-year-old was going to play in the Kontinental Hockey League with SKA St. Petersburg.

In what will no be a shock for regular For What It’s Worth readers is the column was able to pick up a copy of Kovalchuk’s letter of resignation. This is the letter in its entirety, completely unedited.

Dear Louie,

Today, I write to you formally to retire from the National Hockey League and the New Jersey Devils. My family and I are very grateful for the opportunity to play for one of the NHL’s top 25 organizations.

As a young boy growing up in Kalinin, Russia, I often dreamt of suiting up in the Devils legendary green and red. It’s a shame the team does not wear the colors of Christmas any longer. I find them a regal combination. Still, it was an honour to play for the Devils for such a long period.

I hope you are not thinking you could have done anything to prevent me from retiring at this time. You did what you could! I was really invested in playing for the Devils with that initial 17-year contract. I truly wanted to be a Devil until I was 46! When the league killed that deal and I had to settle for just a 15-year contract...well, it just wasn’t the same.

While the Devils contract was fair, I am getting such a great deal with St. Petersburg! The press will publish a certain amount of money that I’m going to make—but between you and me—that’s just the tip of the iceberg! As a worldly man, I’m sure you know who owns SKA Petersburg: GAZPROM. The company is responsible for about 10% or Russia’s gross domestic product. That’s 200 billion dollars give or take a few rubles. Let’s just say I’m going to get some shares in GAZPROM. And let’s just say I could own the Devils one day. Not that I’d buy them. As we know it’s just not a great hockey market. But I could probably buy the New York Rangers!

We certainly had some great times, didn’t we? While I’m sure you will think of our run to the Stanley Cup Finals as the best of times, I personally enjoyed the lockout best. I got to go home to Russia and play for St. Petersburg. It was tremendous performing in front of thousands of comrades during home games and hundreds on the road. Also, you can’t beat the KHL for exciting destinations to visit and play. Kazan! Vladivostok! Have you seen Novokuznetsk in the winter time?!?

While I was a great NHL player, I expect to dominate the KHL. Did you know Brandon Bochenski, a non-Russian-ski, had 58 points last season? He finished fourth in scoring! The 120th best Russian on the planet, Alexander Radulov, led the league. For the last time I should add. I can score 150 points a season and my coach will never ask me to have to play defense either. How does it get any better than that?

Another perk in the KHL is I won’t see anyone like Milan Lucic, Zdeno Chara, Scott Hartnell, Chris Neil or Colton Orr on the ice. Every night will be like playing against the Florida Panthers. I will miss visiting South Beach though. That’s the trade off I suppose.

The Devils will be in fine shape without me in the lineup. Sure, Mr. Vanderbeek always seems to be having his financial difficulties but his heart is in the right place – too bad he’s not GAZPROM rich! You still have Patrick and Marty and our captain guy. I’m sure Ryane Clowe will pick up my production no sweat! He’s a bargain at almost $5 million per season. Adding Cory Schneider and Michael Ryder too? I anticipate watching the Devils in next year’s Stanley Cup Finals after I win the Gagarin Cup!

You need not fear that I will not visit you from time to time. How could I ever stay away from New Jersey forever? And also, I will make myself readily available, when the time is right, for when you add my number to Kenny, Scott and Scott’s among those retired at the Prudential Center. It shall be a spectacular celebration!

Take care Louie. Please come visit my family and me in St. Petersburg as soon as you can! We will go see the Winter Palace, walk in the footsteps of Dostoyevsky and eat caviar along the banks of the Baltic.

Your friend always,

IK17

  P.S. $77-million dollars. Ha!

[martybaceda-blog]

Goodbye Paul Pierce

#00, #1, #2, #3, #6, #10, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25, #31, #32, #33, #35.

That’s the list of Boston’ Celtics retired numbers—Russell, Bird, Cousy, Havlicek and more. The group includes multiple NBA Champions and Most Valuable Player award winners.

Soon Paul Pierce will join this esteemed class.  However, unlike some of his predecessors, Pierce will not be a “lifetime” Celtic as he recently, along with Kevin Garnett, were involved in a blockbuster trade to the Brooklyn Nets. It’s the end of an era for the C’s and while only one banner was added to the Garden’s rafters during his tenure, Pierce will go down as one of the greatest Celtics of all-time.

Drafted out of Kansas in 1998, Pierce can be considered the cream of a class that included fellow all-stars Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki. How the forward ended up selected after the likes of Michael Olowokandi and Robert Traylor is now laughable. However, getting snubbed in a way was always used by Pierce as extra motivation and had a part in helping him become a transcendent player.

When talking about the best players in NBA history, Pierce is definitely in the second tier behind the all-time legends. While his career pales in comparison to the likes of Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, I believe “The Truth” was always underrated as one of the greats of his generation. Despite all of his production, Pierce only ever made one All-NBA 2nd Team and the 3rd team on a few occasions. His reputation was hurt as he played on some pretty poor Boston squads early in his career. Only after the C’s added Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007 could Pierce truly compete for championships, earning his ring in 2008 and coming very close in 2010.

Pierce’s resume is going to be even more impressive by the time he hangs them up. He’s already 20th in NBA all-time scoring. Even with his scoring dipping a bit this past season and more than likely less shots available to him on the Nets, Pierce has a legitimate shot to end up in the top 10 in scoring. He’ll enter next season just over 2000 points behind Oscar Robertson in 10th. He’s also in the top 50 all-time in rebounds, steals, free throws made and three-pointers made.

Defensively, he improved greatly over his career doing more than an adequate job on today’s top player, LeBron James in the last few years the teams clashed for Eastern Conference supremacy. Add to the fact he’s a good leader as well and Pierce brought a complete package to Boston.

I will certainly miss Pierce’s ability to compete against the best of the NBA. His game is multifaceted: He can knock down jumpers, finish at the basket after one of his patented herky-jerky drives, draw a lot of fouls and rise to the occasion, when the stakes were at their highest. Pierce did a lot of the things for the Celtics that Bird did. Larry Legend is my favourite player but The Truth comes in a close second. His 15 years wearing the green were something to behold. Seeing him in a different jersey next season is going to be difficult. Paul Pierce was the one constant for Boston for the last decade and a half.

It’s tough to see Pierce and Garnett move over to a division rival. Joining Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson in Brooklyn assures the Nets will be interesting. While the team may not have much depth, this starting five gives them a shot to become a contender. There will be other veterans who will sign for less money to join this quintet in pursuit of a title. While the Nets may still be behind Miami in the East, Pierce and Garnett will bring their winning ways to an organization that has lacked it. It will be interesting to see if they have another run in them. After watching this duo closely the last few years, I say they do.

I just hope that Boston can find another player in the next few years to take up the torch for the Association’s tiffany franchise. It’s one that Paul Pierce held for a long time with class and determination. Rajon Rondo now remains as the only key piece left over from the ’08 titlists. The mercurial point guard is a tremendous player but his leadership has always been questioned. He’ll need to step up and be more like Garnett and Pierce in that regard. Jeff Green and Avery Bradley will be asked to do more and both have a lot of skill. However, not everyone is cut out for the lead-dog role. One Pierce grew into wonderfully. The pieces coming over from the Nets are less than inspiring. The 3 first-round draft picks are the main component of the swap. We’ll see if any of them can become lottery picks, where perhaps the Celtics can find another superstar.

In the long run, C’s GM Danny Ainge may look prudent for turning over his franchise, moving two future hall-of-famers in the twilight of their careers. It’s still going to be weird to not have Pierce in the lineup on opening night.

There will never be another #34 for Boston. Paul Pierce is a Celtics legend. He gave fans so many great memories over the years and will give us another when his number joins the rest in the rafters. 

[martybaceda-blog]

Hurricanes Changing Again

“The only thing that is constant is change.”                                                Heraclitus

It was a momentous week for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In the span of four days, the club hired a new head coach and introduced a new logo and uniforms. Change was once again in the air for the Western Hockey League organization which has seen more than its share over the last decade.

  Drake Berehowsky is taking over the head coaching duties from the recently ousted Rich Preston. Since retiring as a player nearly 10 years ago, the Toronto native has spent a lot of time behind the bench, first as an assistant in the OHL and AHL, then last year becoming the head man for the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. Coaching in the ECHL can often be a monumental challenge. For instance, the Bears had 65 different players suit up for at least one game last season and did miss the post-season.

  Berehowsky also has his coaching certificate from Hockey Canada and over 500 games of National Hockey League playing experience to draw upon. But by WHL standards, he’s an unknown quantity. All of the ‘Canes hires since the Brian Maxwell era have been like this as first-time Dub head coaches Mikko Makela, Lindsay Hofford (who did have 1.5 seasons as a head coach in the OHL), Michael Dyck and Rich Preston.

  What Berehowsky inherits is a team that should start peaking. The ‘Canes roster is littered with high draft picks and many of them have at least two years of WHL experience. Under Preston the club struggled defensively, and maybe that is something the former rearguard can sort out. Special teams were never all that special under the previous regime either. While it’s a small sample size, in Berehowsky’s one season leading the Solar Bears, the club was in the bottom third in the ECHL in goals against, powerplay and penalty kill percentages. Take it for what you will.

  At the very least, the players should be energized with a new voice in the dressing room. For every step forward the team took under Preston, there was one step back. With a maturing roster, Berehowsky will be under pressure to make the playoffs. We’ll see what additional moves General Manager Brad Robson will make to help his new bench boss. I look at the blue-line, without the graduated Daniel Johnston, as a potential target for an upgrade via trade.

  Along with a new coach, the team introduced a brand new look. Last season the Washington Capitals asked the Hurricanes to change its logo, as it mirrored the NHL club’s current style. So, the locals will don new threads for the 2013-2014 campaign. In place of a word mark, the team’s primary logo is now a stylized ‘H’ in red, blue, silver and grey.  The uniform sets will have primary reds and whites. Alternate logos feature ‘Hurricanes’ and ‘Canes�� word marks.

  It’s hard to say if this is an improvement over the uniforms from the last few years. And there have been lots of different styles sported as this is the fourth “new” jersey the club will have in six seasons. Add in alternate and special event jerseys and the Hurricanes have had more looks than Madonna.

  Let’s face it: conceptualizing a hurricane for a logo or jersey is a difficult task. There aren’t any easy mascot options available, like say a tiger or a cougar. In Kelowna the Rockets use Ogopogo and the Kootenay Ice have a yeti. The Hurricanes have gone down this road before when Twister was on their jerseys.

The Carolina Hurricanes have used coastal warning display flags as a theme for their uniforms. I’m sure that makes sense for the US East Coast, not as much here in Southern Alberta. The University of Miami Hurricanes have an ibis as its mascot. Ditto.

  So, the ‘Canes are pretty much left with a word mark or a letter as options for a logo. As a way of getting around this, last year’s third jerseys was based on the Hawker Hurricane. A design contest winner, Josh Schroeder, used the World War II airplane as the theme for the logo and these jerseys were very well received. However, the club decided against going with this as a long term uniform.

  The Hawker design had some character to it, something to tie it into a hurricane theme of sorts. Through all of the different designs since the club came into the Western Hockey League in 1987, third jerseys included, this was the best I have seen. The new uniforms and logo are pretty nondescript in my estimation. Nothing really differentiates it from what we have seen previously. If things continue the way they have in ‘Canesland, we will probably see something new sooner rather than later.

  New coach. New uniforms. Perhaps a new tradition going forward.

  Heraclitus was known as “The Weeping Philosopher” as the Greek is portrayed by historians as a very melancholy man. It seems ‘Canes fans have shed their fair share of tears over the team’s fate the last few years. Here’s hoping through all of these latest changes there are better times ahead.

[martybaceda-blog]

Flop-ortunity Knocks

Sport has plenty of space for the absurd. Completely amazing things can happen during a game: Randy Johnson once threw a fastball through a bird, or Jim Marshall for scoring a touchdown into the wrong end zone and a naked fan climbing over the glass at the Calgary Saddledome, hitting his head on the ice, getting knocked unconscious. There are the offbeat or humorous personalities like Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Jim McMahon or Paul “BizNasty” Bissonnette.

However, for my money, the most ridiculous thing in sports is flopping. An athlete does not look more preposterous than when he or she falls down during a contest in order to draw a penalty or foul. In today’s high-definition, 15-camera angle, super slow-motion world, floppers have nowhere to hide anymore. Some players are masters at gaining an advantage by getting a call from the officials in an underhanded fashion. In the “win at any costs” train of thought, these actions are defended by many people.

I disagree. I believe there is winning and there is winning with honour and grace.

For me, it kills me most to see LeBron James playing this nefarious game. The King already has a set of skills beyond reproach. The four-time National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player can dominate the game every way imaginable: scoring, passing, dribbling or playing defence. He is one of the smartest players to ever get on a court. Still, James uses flopping as yet another weapon.

James is listed as 6’8” 250 pounds. There are lots of tall men in the NBA, however, only a few even come close to matching the physical might of The King.  Still, despite his immense size and force, it seems a few times every playoff game, after coming into marginal contact with an opponent, the Miami Heat star falls, usually in a comedic way, attempting to induce a call. It looks bad on television in real speed. When the slo-mo replays are shown, it comes off as desperate.

In this spring’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, Miami played Chicago. The Bulls, as underdogs to the defending champs, really played a great series considering their best player – Derrick Rose – among others was out with injury.

In Game 3 of this series, Bulls centre Nazr Mohammad and James got tangled up at half court and when the two men got back to their feet, Mohammad gave his adversary a stiff two-handed shove to the chest. James “flew” backwards, embellishing a fall onto his backside. It looked like a terrible case of overacting. In the aftermath, Mohammad was ejected from the game, one the Heat ended up winning by 10 points.

I’m not defending Mohammad’s shove but there is no way James needed to fall down. He chose to in order to get a call. If James would have not embellished his reaction to the push and stayed on his feet, I’m almost certain the Mohammad would have stayed in the game, earning a technical foul instead. By no means would the Heat have lost that contest or the series if Mohammad avoids the ejection, but it tarnishes the way in which Miami and James did win.

Next round, in the Eastern Conference Finals versus Indiana, James was fined for flopping after Game 4. He wasn’t alone, as two Pacers: David West and Lance Stephenson, also were dinged by the Association. These two teams have fast become bitter rivals and winning means everything. However, all of this farcical acting hurts these players’ reputations.

We all laugh at soccer where players will often go down in a William Shatner-esque over-acted lunge, roll around for a few minutes, gingerly get to their feet, limp off the field...only to rejoin the action a minute later whether a foul was committed or not. It’s a rampant problem in the sport and needs to be dealt with. Harsh fines and suspensions would probably do the trick, although I’m not sure if there’s any support for such a plan.

In hockey, there are the legendary divers like Bill Barber, Claude Lemieux or Glenn Anderson. We have emerging talents like Ryan Kesler and Brad Marchand. Their exploits, once stories handed down from generation to generation can now be viewed on YouTube anytime we need to get a taste of what Greg Louganis would have been like on skates. No matter who does it, from superstar to fourth-line grinder, it looks downright dumb.

Back to the Pacers and Heat and in Game 5 of the East finals, with James taking another couple of easy falls, there was a similar incident to his run-in with Mohammad.

In the second quarter, Heat centre Chris Anderson, bodychecked Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough to the ground. When the Hansbrough got back to his feet, he also received a hard two handed shove to the chest by Anderson, probably even more forceful than the one that Mohammad gave to James previously.

Unlike the best player on the planet, Hansbrough stayed on his feet. When the dust settled, Anderson got a flagrant foul (for the bodycheck) while he and Hansbrough also got technicals. Had Hansbrough fallen down again, I wager Anderson would have been tossed. In the aftermath, the NBA suspended Anderson one game for this action (as Mohammad was previously).

Hansbrough could have gone down easily enough, trying to get Anderson ejected from a critical Game 5, which Miami ended up winning. As a role player, the Birdman isn’t as important as James or Dwyane Wade, however, an ejection would have made Miami make adjustments to its rotation. Perhaps Chris Bosh would have gotten into foul trouble, playing more minutes against Indiana pivot Roy Hibbert, shifting momentum and allowing Indiana to steal the game.

After the game Hansbrough was quoted as saying, “I don’t flop. I’ll never flop.” At the very least, the former North Carolina Tar Heel, who is a marginal NBA talent and often ends up on the league’s “Most Hated Players list” had earned my respect.

Who would think that LeBron James could learn something from Tyler Hansbrough? When it comes to flopping, apparently quite a bit.

[martybaceda-blog]

Jays-A Vu

I wasn’t supposed to be writing this column this year...

  Around this time, early spring, when our society celebrates the annual tradition of Cinqo de Mayo, or Star Wars Day (May the Fourth, Be With You), For What It’s Worth has established one of its own. For the last few years, I have penned typed up a column about the state of the Toronto Blue Jays. And invariably, it comes down to a punch line of sorts: Just a month into a new Major League Baseball campaign, the Jays have been eliminated from the American League pennant race.

  Here in 2013, it was supposed to be different for the Jays. The club made a bunch of off-season moves that had fans and critics alike praising the organization. Two blockbuster deals brought in a Cy Young Winner, a batting champion and multiple-time all-stars.

  Last November, Toronto pillaged the Miami Marlins in a 12-player swap that brought in shortstop Jose Reyes along with starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle among others. Headed the other way were 3 of the team’s top 10 prospects (according to Baseball America): Jake Marisnick, Justin Nicolino and Adeiny Hechavarria.

  Then in December, the Jays picked up the best pitcher in the National League in 2012—R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets. Again, the price was steep prospect-wise as the club’s top rated youngster, Travis D’Arnaud (once the centrepiece in the Roy Halladay deal with Philadelphia) and Noah Sydergaard (another top ten prospect) were in the package heading to Gotham.

  In about 7 week’s time, Jays General Manager Alex Anthopolous acquired three-fifths of a starting rotation and a game-changing shortstop. Other additions included free-agent Melky Cabrera, who was having a monster season for San Francisco before he was suspended, caught using performance enhancing drugs in 2012.

  These veterans, along with holdover thumpers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, promising youngsters Brett Lawrie, Colby Rasmus and J.P. Arencibia, were to combine to give the Jays the roster needed not to just compete in the AL East, but perhaps take the club back to the World Series for the first time in two decades.

  There was a buzz in The Great White North surrounding the team not felt for a very long time as Spring Training rolled around. Add to the fact the New York Yankees were suffering a slew of injuries preseason and the Boston Red Sox were coming off a last place finish last year, the Blue Jays were the more than fashionable choice to take the division.

  The season began and the Jays were packing Rogers Centre. Attendance figures looked great the first week, including 3 straight games of over 40,000 with the BoSox in town. Some flashy (literally) promos on TV made the club—and the station announcers and reporters who cover the team (hilariously in my mind)—to look like rock stars. The party was definitely on at the old SkyDome.

  However, here we are, just over a month into the season and the Blue Jays are no closer to winning an AL East Pennant, never mind the World Series. In fact, the Blue Jays are one of the worst teams in the Major Leagues.

  Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong in the Big Smoke. It was bad news, as Reyes sprained an ankle a few weeks ago and may be out until the All-Star Break. The speedster was the only guy on the team swinging a hot bat at the time. As it stands, the Jays are in the bottom third in runs scored. Still showing decent power at times, but not getting enough men on base to do any real damage. Batting average is a devalued statistic now, with on-base percentage and OPS (on-base + slugging percentage) much more respected by baseball minds. Take any of the three and the Jays are in the last third of the league.

  The pitching has been even worse. Toronto is among the bottom three teams in earned run average (as of this writing). While Dickey has yet to regain his Cy Young form, his ERA over four is almost the best in the rotation. Johnson, Buehrle and incumbent starter Brandon Morrow have been terrible and Johnson has hit the disabled list to start May. Control issues are a big problem, as the club sits along with the dregs of the league in walks allowed. If it wasn’t for the bullpen, hurling well at the moment, the staff would have an ERA over 5. That’s fantastic for Softball Valley. The MLB? Not so much.

  Also, don’t Jays fans have to question bringing back John Gibbons as manager? Of all the candidates the club could have hired, why recycle a guy who couldn’t get the team into the postseason in his first five-year stint with the job? Of course, this organization thought Buck Martinez could be a manager too. With all of the “improvements” made to the roster, nailing the managerial choice, with John Farrell leaving for the Red Sox was key. At least when the Yankees were bringing back Billy Martin (again and again), he had a World Series pedigree.

  It’s all added up to a lackluster start. Is it too early to write off the Jays? It’s been easy to do so for a long time now. The AL East is not a place where a team can sneak into a pennant, like say the NL West. The Red Sox have regained form, thanks to a revamped pitching staff. The Yankees are only going to get healthier, while castoffs like Vernon Wells (!) and Travis Hafner hold things down in the meantime.  The Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs last year and have enough pitching to get their again—especially if Adam Jones and Chris Davis hit like they have so far. Even the Tampa Bay Rays, off to a sluggish start, have the potential to make a run with so many quality arms. If the Rays start to hit, they will make a push for a postseason spot as well.

  Nothing is better for baseball in Canada than when the Blue Jays are competitive. Whether you like the team or not, a good Toronto team raises the profile of the sport in our country and everyone was ready for a big breakout. Sadly, just weeks into the season, it looks like it’s already “wait until next year mode.”

  Enough pessimism, let’s end the column with a joke.

  Bob: Are you ready for Cinqo de Mayo?

George: What’s that?

Bob: You know, on May 5th every year, folks around North American celebrate Mexican heritage—it’s cuisine, culture and music.

George: Oh yeah. A great day for sure!

Bob: It’s also the day every year we can officially eliminate the Toronto Blue Jays from the AL East pennant chase...

[martybaceda-blog]

LIVING IN THE PAST [GLORY]

“There’s one other guy, I believe, in hockey today, that’s still working in the game that’s won more Stanley Cups than me. So, I think I know a little bit about winning.”

Kevin Lowe, Edmonton Oilers press conference – April 15th.

It seems to me Kevin Lowe was the most underrated player on those Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup teams of the 25-30 years ago. Wayne Gretzky, well, he was a pretty big deal. Mark Messier and Grant Fuhr were the other headliners. Phenomenal talents like Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri won team and personal accolades. Glenn Anderson was a 50-goal scorer who made the Hockey Hall of Fame and had his number retired.

And Lowe was there all along, for all 5 championships. Yes, he chipped in his share of points and he had a hard edge, never hiding when things got rough on the ice. However, most importantly, I think he was the one member of Edmonton’s blue-line that actually excelled playing defence, the only shutdown rearguard on the club over that span. 

After another Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994, Lowe eventually retired in 1998 and moved right behind Edmonton’s bench, first as an assistant coach, then as the head man. In 2000, he was named General Manager of the team and has been with the front office ever since.

In this lockout-shortened NHL season, the Oilers were expecting to breakthrough and rejoin the post-season party. Instead, a swoon in March and April killed any chance of that happening, so Edmonton is once again making some dramatic changes.

Recently, the Oilers fired Steve Tambellini as General Manager and replaced him with Craig MacTavish. Scott Howson rejoins the organization as Vice President of Hockey Operations. He has worked under Lowe before he spent time in Columbus as GM. While the oil industry, in some respects, may be slow to embrace recycling; it’s alive and well in Oil Country.

I am not here to say Tambellini was doing a magnificent job. Clearly, the Oilers underachieved this season. However, as Lowe stated in that same press conference referenced above, the team is in the midst of a rebuild.

Tambellini was brought in, trying to clean up a mess that Lowe himself had made. The last decade, with Lowe making most of the key decisions, the Oilers have been terrible. Only in the miracle 2006 Cup Finals run, has Edmonton won a playoff series dating back to 1998. The last seven seasons, the club hasn’t even qualified for the post-season, finished no better than 4th in the Northwest Division. This is a run of incompetence that we like to think only happens on Long Island, central Ohio or southern Florida.

If we throw out the ’06 run, the Oilers have won 4 playoff games under Lowe as GM and Team President. After the Oilers made the finals, he handed out some dreadful contracts to players like Shawn Horcoff and Fernando Pisani (yes, Pisani got hurt, but he was never even a 20-goal scorer before he inked that $10 million dollar deal). Even Ales Hemsky’s contract, while justifiable due to his scoring skills, looks bad in retrospect as the Czech has spent too much time on the injury report.

Lowe’s track record running the draft is just as dubious. Before the Oilers were picking first overall every June, all under Tambellini, high draft picks were regularly wasted on the likes of Alexei Mikhnov, Jesse Niinimaki, Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Riley Nash. The balance of those drafts didn’t produce much else either. Some of the players who made an impact were Jarrett Stoll, Matt Greene and Kyle Brodziak. None of whom are still with the club (Stoll and Greene both recently won the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles).

Lowe’s trade record isn’t as bad as Mike Milbury’s—but that isn’t saying much. Bill Guerin was flipped to Boston for Anson Carter and a first rounder that became Hemsky. That was good. Doug Weight brought in Jochen Hecht, Jan Horacek and Marty Reasoner from St. Louis. Not so much. Mike Comrie was sent to Philadelphia for Jeff Woywtika a 1st (Rob Schremp) and a 3rd (Danny Syvret). Looked good at the time but didn’t pan out in retrospect.

Then there’s Chris Pronger. Lowe bagged him for Eric Brewer, Woywitka and Doug Lynch. For Lowe, this was larceny. Unfortunately, the former Norris Trophy winner’s time in the Capital was short-lived and he demanded a trade out of Edmonton after just one season, for reasons sordid or otherwise.

When Lowe dealt Pronger to Anaheim, the bounty was pretty decent, Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, two 1sts (one conditional) and a 2nd. Thankfully, one of those picks turned out to be Jordan Eberle, which is looking very good indeed. Still, at the time, I was surprised that Lowe couldn’t pry either Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry from the Ducks in the deal. Neither player had yet busted out becoming the player they are today, but the signs were there. Had Lowe pressed for one of them, instead of Lupul, as the centrepiece to the deal, does Anaheim say, “No thanks?” I highly doubt it.

Throw it all into the consideration—the team record, the draft history, the cap management, the trades—and where does Lowe rank? It’s not like he’s in the same class as Lou Lamorello or Ken Holland. He would have been fired 3 times over by now in Toronto or Montreal.

But in Edmonton, in the ‘City of Champions,’ Lowe survives no longer winning championships. No matter if the team’s glory days date back 20-to-30 years back. No matter than other than one fluke year, the Oilers have done nothing of note, other than pick first overall three times in a row in a decade.

Oil fans have to worry that with the re-hiring of MacTavish, the club gives too much deference to its past as it tries to compete in the ever-changing NHL. Lowe’s vehement defence of his track record at that press conference excuses his current performance in trade for past glory. The victory parade can only go on for so long.

Earlier that day, Lowe said, “Half of the NHL teams would trade their roster for his”, he’s probably not wrong. The immense amount of young talent in the organization may in fact be just a step or two away from helping vindicate Lowe and company.

But if things continue as they have for the last 20 years in Edmonton, I will think of Lowe as an underrated NHL player and that’s about it.

[martybaceda-blog]

Flames Future

The most hyped event of 2013 has recently passed and The Papal Conclave the National Hockey League Trade Deadline delivered its usual amount of activity. And the Calgary Flames, for the first time in over a decade it was different—the club was selling assets. It shipped out the most beloved player in franchise history, its best defenceman, who was supposed to be the next Gary Suter/Al MacInnis when he was acquired just a few years ago...and Blake Comeau.

I suppose with Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester...and Blake Comeau...now donning other team’s jerseys (and how weird was it to see Iggy wearing Pittsburgh Penguins silks for the first time?) the Flames are finally getting serious about a rebuild 3-years too late. Even if the organization seems loathe calling it a rebuild, Holmes on Homes has surveyed the wreckage and says the top floor, kitchen/dining room and basement all require a major overhaul.

We can debate all day about if the Flames got the right return in the three deals; however, the more important point is these moves had to be made, starting with The Captain.

All Flames fans can agree, the impact Iginla made on the organization is the most profound of any man to wear the Flaming ‘C.’ All the way back to the time he was acquired in a trade with Dallas for then captain Joe Nieuwendyk, to scoring his first goal in his first game (a playoff contest versus Chicago), to becoming an all-star, to becoming an Art Ross, Maurice Richard and Lester B. Pearson award winner, to leading the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup finals, to twice winning gold with Canada at the Olympics, to setting all of the major records in club history, to scoring 500 goals and 1000 points, to being the consummate professional on and off the ice—Iginla is, was and always shall be the ideal Calgary Flame.

Trading Iggy had to happen for two reasons: To give him a legitimate shot at winning a title before he retires and for the organization to finally admit to itself a new direction was necessary. With Iginla in the locker room, a proper team deconstruction was impossible and not fair to him.

With Iginla dealt, it seemed like pretty much means any other player in the organization, not on an entry-level contract, was up for grabs. Bouwmeester never became the Norris Trophy winner many fans thought he should be but the ex-Medicine Hat Tiger delivered exactly what he has his entire hockey career: A major minute-muncher, with above average skill, below average grit and subterranean charisma.

And while...Comeau...was the only other player moved at this time, the off-season could be even busier.

 Flames General Manager Jay Feaster has been skewered by many for not getting back any ‘A-List’ prospects back in the Iginla/Bouwmeester trades, but he did acquire two first-round picks (the choice from St. Louis is for 2013 if the Blues make the playoffs; 2014 if they don’t). Considering the players had no-trade clauses, Feaster didn’t have much leverage to shop either player to get the best deal possible.

Shortly after the moves were made, Feaster spoke to the press and one thing stuck out more than anything. Despite moving Iginla, Bouwmeester...and Comeau...the club was not ‘rebuilding.’ And in fact, Flames ownership is expecting the team to make the playoffs next season.

Uh...what?

Ever since 2004, the Flames have been chasing the Cup. After the Finals run, it made sense, after all, Calgary was one proper goal review from actually having won the championship*.

*I’m just saying it was the eliminator—Martin Gelinas!

  After the ’04-’05 lockout, Calgary finished over 100 points, 1st in the Northwest Division before flaming out in the first round of the post-season. The next 3 years brought about 3 more first round exits. Then the next 3 years the Flames narrowly missed the playoffs. Instead of taking a step back, first with Darryl Sutter in charge, then Feaster, the organization kept making moves with only the present in mind.

Now what some people—including this guy right here—have thought for years is out in the open: Flames ownership, Murray Edwards and friends, have mandated making the playoffs and pursuing the Cup as the only option. Even this season, with the franchise battling for the NHL basement, ownership is eyeing 2014 as the year the club can return to the post-season.

Now, for any professional team to have ownership in place that really wants to win is rarer than one might think. Before the NHL had a salary cap, Chicago’s Bill Wirtz and Boston’s Jeremy Jacobs were more than happy to rake in dough while Detroit and Colorado spend tons of money pursuing Lord Stanley’s mug.

I’m worried the Flames are like the New York Yankees of yesteryear. Not the World Champion, spend $200-million Pinstripers—but the 1980s teams. While George Steinbrenner won more than his share, there was a time he thought just throwing money around was enough to build a winner. The ‘80s Yankees were San Diego Padre-like. It wasn’t until Steinbrenner changed his ways, stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the team and hired some bright baseball minds, most notably Brian Cashman.

New York started to develop young players, and a nucleus led by Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte brought the club back to glory. Yes, money was spent on free agents, superstars were acquired in trade, but without the young core peaking together, those recent World Series titles would have been near impossible to come by.

Looking at the more successful teams of the post-salary cap NHL era: Pittsburgh, Detroit, New Jersey, Boston, recently Chicago and Los Angeles, these teams were built through the draft, using a young, homegrown core of players to achieve success.

For too long, Calgary has eschewed player development for free agents and trades. Acquiring players on the free market rarely works like it should. The players available have generally already peaked. There is a reason they are free agents: Their former teams did not believe they were worth the investment.

The trade game can work, as even Sutter showed early in his Flames tenure, stealing players like Miikka Kiprusoff and Craig Conroy among others. Beware the team looking to offload a veteran with a big contract—Hey Mike Cammalleri!

What should worry Flames fans is if ownership is really thinking it’s a one step back this year, for two big steps forward next. Who is to say Calgary can even build through the draft, the club has a lousy track record the last 25 years or more. The New York Islanders have been a lottery team for centuries.

There’s a lot not to like right now for the Flames. And most troublesome is ownership if it believes its club is a playoff contender next year.

I’m not saying it can’t happen. But a long time has passed since 1989. And I don’t see a roster stocked with one-time draft picks like MacInnis, Suter, Vernon, Roberts, Fleury, and Nieuwendyk on it.

[martybaceda-blog]

Broadcasting Blues

“And again, in this shortened [National Hockey League] season...”

Sportsnet Analyst Charlie Simmer about 45 times each Calgary Flames broadcast this winter.

My ears are suffering from A.B.F. -- Announcer BS Fatigue.

Since leaving Global last summer, I have had more time to watch sports than I ever did working for the station. That may seem odd to say, but I have viewed more games on television in the last 7 months than I probably did in my decade at Global. I used to work evenings, with most of them spent shooting highlights of local games or interviewing coaches and athletes. Tuning into a game on TV mid-week was the exception and not the rule.

These days, if I chose, I could watch sports 7 days a week. I have both the NBA League Pass and NHL Centre Ice. Between the two leagues; I can have from 10 to 30 games to watch on any given day. Monday to Friday contests start at 5pm and run straight through until about 11. On the weekends, I can start a marathon at 10am and not leave the couch until almost midnight.

With access to so many different contests, I have listened to all 60 announce teams  that do the local broadcasts for the NBA or the NHL , not to mention the national networks that cover either league as well. I have endured Grant Napear and Jerry Reynolds call Sacramento Kings games (Reynolds is the team’s Director of Player Personnel...uh conflict of interest much?). I have enjoyed the Florida Panther’s duo of Steve Goldstein and Bill Lindsay (to the point play-by-play with timely analysis from our favourite Montanan ex-NHLer).

There is good work being done out there, but more and more what’s coming out of the broadcast booth is amateurish or boorish. I have different levels to how I actually watch a game now.

1.       Sound up, actively watching and enjoying the broadcast.

This happens when the play-by-play man calls what is happening on time, sets up his analyst who delivers sound analysis, providing insight that is not blatantly obvious to the viewer. Clichés are kept to a minimum. Bonus points if there’s a dash of humour thrown in but not to the point where it seems the announcers are auditioning for Lorne Michaels. In hockey, my dream team would be Chris Cuthbert with John Davidson. In basketball, make it Marv Albert with any number of analysts, but Jeff Van Gundy is getting it done best these days.

2.       Sound up, actively watching and tolerating the broadcast.

This means for the most part the announce team is doing a serviceable job. Perhaps there’s some clichés being tossed around or the broadcasters are busy debating “today’s hot topic” and ignoring what is actually happening in the game. There will be some moments where I think to myself, “What did he just say?” It’s not a bad broadcast, but it can use some room for improvement (and can’t we all?), a good solid effort more often than not.

3.       Sound turned down lower, actively watching.

This happens one of two ways: A) The broadcast team is truly deficient in some manner: play-by-play guy is continuously behind or using an passive voice (or his voice is so annoying that listening to it at full volume is tremendously grating), the colour man is the master of the cliché, the tone of the broadcast makes it seem like the booth would rather be somewhere else, etc. or B) The broadcast team is a huge pair (or trio) of homers: “We” is used constantly throughout the game, officials are lambasted for calls (or non-calls) against the home side, or the announce team has an win-gasm after the home side takes a close game. This happens more than I want.

4.       Sound muted, actively watching.

At this point I have found the broadcast team to be so derelict in even the most basic duties of calling a game, that I’d rather watch it with no sound, in silence. Or more likely, put another game on my computer that I can listen/watch at the same time. What amazes me is this happens at all. I may be asking for too much, but if a broadcaster makes it on a regional professional broadcast team, he or she should be ready for “the show.” Sadly, this is not always the case.

And believe me, the threshold to what irks me from a broadcast standpoint, is probably a lot lower than most people. I cannot just tune out who’s behind the mic. As someone who used to work in the industry full-time, it is impossible for me to not actively watch the broadcast. I pick up not only on the “problems” from the broadcasters, but from the technical side as well: The use of camera shots by the director, the graphic packages, the replays (or lack thereof).  If my eyes see it, or if my ears hear it, I’m judging it. I am not the end-all, be-all arbiter of taste for sports broadcasting. If Jim Hughson floats your boat, that’s fine, just don’t expect me to watch one of his games without thinking: “He should be better.”

Then there is what’s happening “back in the studio.” Please. Make. It. Stop.

For the major networks, it’s an arms race of sorts to see how many commentators they can fit on a desk. Grantland’s Bill Simmons lampooned it best when he forecasted that one day a network will put 9 of them in a Hollywood Squares set and let them go to town. Ironically, Simmons now does studio work himself for ESPN basketball.

These days if there are only two commentators on the desk, something has gone severely wrong. Instead of going for quality, networks are trying to cram too many opinions into a finite amount of time. With more mouths bloviating and less time is given to them, it results in over-the-top sound bites, uniformed judgements and enough hot air to keep Orville Redenbacher popping. The fact Mike Milbury still has a TV studio gig is beyond comprehension.

I feel bad for the analysts who did a credible job at one time. Quite often they are now joined by 3 or 4 others, cutting into their time and forcing them to answer questions like, “If man is nearly wiped off the face of the earth, and only one hockey player survived, which one would you prefer to repopulate the human race?”

The studio show is dead. Producers who give the clowns, who say things just to be controversial, or even worse, completely out to lunch, killed it.

It brings up a fifth option:

5.       Turn the channel.

[martybaceda-blog]

Celtic Pride

It’s not going to go down as a banner season for the Boston Celtics. Still, I have found this a fascinating campaign for the National Basketball Association’s most celebrated franchise. And while an 18th championship is going to elude the C’s in 2013, the last couple of months I have very much enjoyed watching the club.

Boston wasn’t really considered to be an top contender going into this season. That status was reserved for the likes of the defending champions, the Miami Heat, last year’s runners-up, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the team that won the off-season, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Well, as the stretch drive heats up, Miami and Oklahoma City are definitely among the NBA’s class. San Antonio is a threat, even with an injured Tony Parker out for awhile yet. One tier below are the likes of Indiana and the Los Angeles Clippers, while clubs like Memphis and Denver are merely very good. The Lakers? Well, let’s see if they can even make it to the post-season.

As for the Celtics, the squad is going to make the playoffs, but a division title is mostly likely out of the question. The New York Knicks’ hot start pretty much assures a different team, other than Boston, will win the Atlantic Division for the first time since Toronto* (!) in 2007.

*Remember those Raptors? Finished 12 games over .500 led by Chris Bosh. There was real optimism in the air as a hot-shot rookie, picked 1st overall, Andrea Bargnani joined the team and young point guards TJ Ford and Jose Calderon were both under 25. Of course, a first-round playoff exit followed the regular season and as we know, things only slid downhill from there. Where are you Jorge Garbajosa?

Even with my tempered expectations, the first couple of months of the Celtics season were pretty disappointing. Scuffling along at around .500, quality wins were few and far between—the best on November 23rd over the Thunder. It seemed as long as C’s point guard Rajon Rondo played well, the club had a great chance of winning, if not, a loss was pretty likely.

For this season, there was no question Rondo was the team’s best player and was supposed to assume the top leadership role. Even with veteran all-star mainstays like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett still in town, it was going to be Rondo’s team.

And Rondo is an amazing player. He led the NBA in assists last year, a four-time All-Star and multiple-time all-defensive team member. Rajon’s post-season resume is tremendous as well, with a string of triple-double performances with the stakes at their highest. At his best, he is a top-ten NBA player.

On January 25th, Rondo tore the ACL in his right knee in a game against Atlanta. At that point the Celtics were 3 games under .500 and with their best player out for the year; it was supposed to be a lost season.

However, Boston rallied immediately after the injury, reeling off the team’s longest win streak of the season. It started with a victory against the LeBron and the Heat and went for 7 in total. Pierce really stepped up his game, showing an improved scoring touch and became the team’s top facilitator. While Garnett’s minutes have been diminished, he continues to be one of the best defensive anchors in the game. Jason Terry, acquired as a free agent this summer, began to show signs of the championship player he became with the Dallas Mavericks. Jeff Green, who missed all of last season after heart surgery, has looked the best since joining the Celtics from Oklahoma City, reminding fans why he was selected 5th overall in the 2007 Draft. Courtney Lee, starting in place of Rondo, and Brandon Bass, the starting power forward, both became more consistent too.

Then there is Avery Bradley. The 22-year-old suffered his own season ending injury, to his shoulder in last year’s playoffs. It’s not hard to believe had he been healthy; the Celtics would have emerged as the Eastern Conference Champions last spring, as the side lost to the Heat in a 7th game after leading the conference finals 3-2 at one point.

To start the ’12-’13 campaign, Bradley was still on the sidelines recovering from his surgery. The Texas alum returned in January and predictably, he was rusty. But as Rondo went down, Bradley’s importance to the team increased and the guard has responded. Recently, Bradley has become a more confident shooter—not even close to Ray Allen’s level—but good enough that the opposition has to worry about him on the perimeter. To start March, he was averaging over 14 points-per-game and shooting over 50% from the field. You better believe Hubie Brown is excited about this development.

What Bradley is exceptional at is on-the-ball defence. He hounds point guards as they bring the rock up the court. Even the best ball-handlers have to worry about him stripping the ball away for a steal. And this isn’t just a few times a game. Almost every minute he’s on the court, Bradley is bringing his tenacious brand of D. It’s really fun to watch.

Still, the Celtics struggled a bit after the win streak, dropping four of six, mostly on the road, coinciding with the approach of the trade deadline. There were a hundred rumours concerning the Celtics, prominently involving Garnett and Pierce. Again, it looked like Boston was in trouble.

It was a legitimate debate, whether an aging Celtics roster, without a healthy Rondo, should be blown up. However, KG, with a full no-trade clause, intimated he wasn’t ready to leave the team. Pierce would have been a great add for a contending team, but it never panned out. In the end Boston stayed pat.

While we don’t know how this will play out, the immediate result was Boston started a win streak once again. Early on, it included some impressive road wins in Utah and Indiana. All of a sudden, this depleted Celtics team is looking like a tough post-season out.

The club is playing for one another, showing the classic Celtic Pride previous teams from this generation, and those before it have displayed.

This year’s C’s are not even close to those great Russell, Cowens or Bird teams. However, I have really enjoyed rooting for this squad. Getting the NBA League Pass looked like a bad idea a few months ago. Now, if the Celtics are playing I’m tuning in.

Left for dead in January, the club is showing that every game can mean something even if a season doesn’t result in a championship.

[martybaceda-blog]

Cujo

Only a few months have passed since I joined the “retired local celebrities” club. Despite the fact I’m no longer active at Global Lethbridge, I still have had the chance to pitch in and help out our community by emceeing local events.

Recently I returned to host the annual Lethbridge Hurricanes Celebrity Dinner and Auction. Over the years it has proved to be a very enjoyable evening as our local Western Hockey League club puts the event together to raise money for a host of local charities, including The ‘Canes Scholarship Fund, The United Way, The Kidney Foundation and The Michael Maniago Fund.

Every year the dinner has a special guest speaker and those who have visited in the last few years have included the likes of NHL Hall-of-Famer Lanny MacDonald and comedian Gerry Dee.

This February the organizing committee hit another home run as Curtis Joseph came to visit the ‘Bridge. Like his predecessors “Cujo” was a gracious guest, taking lots of time for those who attended, posing for pictures, signing autographs and telling some stories.

After a great dinner put on by LA Chefs at the Coast Convention Centre, it was time for Cujo and myself to sit down for an in-depth one-on-one interview. I’ll admit, even though I watched Joseph for his entire NHL career, all 19 seasons of it, I really didn’t know much about his back story.

Adopted by Jeanne and Harold Joseph, Curtis grew up in a family of mixed race in south-central Ontario. While he was a fine athlete as a child, Joseph never started playing hockey until he was in his pre-teens. At first he tried playing as a forward, but his admittedly “poor skating,” eventually found him play goaltender. This turned out to be a great turn of fortune.

After playing minor hockey and some junior in Ontario, Joseph then moved to the prairies, suiting up for famed Notre Dame of Wilcox, Saskatchewan. Here he helped the Hounds win the Centennial Cup in 1987. Cujo told a great story about how when Notre Dame travelled to Calgary for a Game 7 of the Abbott Cup finals. As memorable as the victory, was the fact that Notre Dame students travelled west for the game by promising to attend school on a Saturday as a make-up date.

This experience put Joseph on the radar of National Hockey League scouts and he then went to the University of Wisconsin. An undrafted player, he again excelled with the Badgers, earning a berth on the WCHA All Conference Team. This led to a bidding war by NHL teams to sign him as a free agent. In the end, St. Louis stepped up and inked him to a $1 million contract. No doubt this was helped by Joseph’s recruiting trip to the Gateway City, where none other than Brian Sutter picked him up in a limousine and had him over for dinner.

From little known to NHL starting goalie in the matter of a few years, Joseph got a baptism by fire as a professional. The Blues were a great offensive team in his time there led by the likes of Brett Hull, Adam Oates and Brendan Shanahan. However, they often left Cujo to fend for himself. He twice led the NHL in shots faced in a campaign and 3 times made the most saves.

But Joseph’s time came to an end when Mike Keenan came to St. Louis. Notably hard on goalies, “Iron Mike” moved Joseph on to Edmonton where he joined an inexperienced Oilers squad. Despite their youth, the Copper and Blue overachieved, knocking out favoured teams Dallas and Colorado in consecutive playoffs. But his time in the Capital was rather short, as he moved on signing a free agent contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While the Buds never did end their long Stanley Cup drought, Joseph and friends certainly had some very good teams. Curtis cemented his status as one of the best ‘tenders of his generation, twice finishing runner-up for the Vezina Trophy.

Even with all of his success in Toronto, Joseph was once again on the move, signing with Detroit in 2002. But his time with the Red Wings proved to be his most trying in the NHL. With huge expectations, the Wings twice flamed out in the playoffs after having superb regular seasons. His last year in Motown, Cujo was even sent to the minors for a game as the club had a three goalie conundrum with Dominic Hasek and Manny Legace on the squad as well. Joseph had to keep positive and credits Don Cherry for having his back on Coaches Corner, showing his support. He related with the crowd how staying positive got him through this very trying time.

After two seasons with the Wings, Joseph then headed to Phoenix to play under Wayne Gretzky. Another great story was one night Cujo was the back-up goalie. As we all know, the Coyotes have had attendance issues forever, so it’s pretty easy to see what’s going on in the crowd.

In this game, Curtis noticed his teenage daughter walking down the steps holding hands with a boy. It turned out to be Gretzky’s son. As Joseph related, “He was my boss, so what was I supposed to do?” At the time Cujo never brought it up to The Great One, but years later at a mutual event, Gretzky in fact saw what happened and gave his former goalie a tough time about it. Joseph countered about Gretzky’s own daughter Paulina, who is pretty famous herself these days.

From there it was stops in Calgary and then Toronto again. Along the way, Joseph helped Canada win gold in 3 international competitions and one silver. He goes down 4th all-time in NHL wins and will be in the conversation for the Hall-of-Fame soon.

What I got from our near hour long chat was Joseph never doubted his abilities. Even when he had his troubles in Detroit, he worked hard to regain his all-star form. He took the road less travelled to make it to the NHL, showing everyone that belief in oneself is very powerful indeed.

Some great stories from Cujo, thousands of dollars raised for local charities, and the chance to catch up with some old friends, made this year’s ‘Canes Celebrity Dinner and Auction another big success.

I can’t wait for next year.